Where to begin with Tara and Cameron?!?! We started this journey with Tara and Cameron over TWO years ago leading up to this point! They hold such a special place in our hearts, and being a part of their big day will forever be a memory for us as well.
Number One Tip for Future Phocus Brides to Consider:
"Create a dream team, whether it be vendors, family, or friends. You cannot do it alone! The items I thought I would personally be able to set up on our wedding day, I never got to, but everything still turned out perfect!"-Tara
Tara is 100% right! Having a peace in mind that there are MULTIPLE people who have your back on one of the biggest days of your life takes so much weight off your shoulders. The morning of the Craver's wedding was actually not looking all that great because the weather was on the borderline of hurricane winds and rain!! By time we arrived at the venue, the weather was completely cleared up, and not a rain cloud in sight!! Everything fell right into place for Tara and Cameron, and turned out to be absolutely perfect!
What moment were you most looking forward to seeing in the photos?
"Definitely the moment Tara walked up over the dunes, and I first saw her."-Cameron
Cameron's reaction to Tara was beautiful to be a part of. Capturing the moment of anticipation unfold before his eyes was so powerful to capture. The whole time Tara was coming down the aisle, all Cameron could do was smile and get lost in the moment.
What moment were you most looking forward to seeing in the photos?
"There are so many, but definitely seeing my husband’s reaction to seeing me for the first time! Also our champagne shot in front of the sand castle at the end of the night!"-Tara
We absolutely LOVEDDDDD doing this champagne shot with Tara and Cameron! This was our first time ever doing this particular shot with a custom built sand castle made just for the Cravers! It came out better than we could have ever imagined!!
How did you two meet?
"Funny story, we actually met in high school, and I actually was not a huge fan of Cameron because of his wild boy ways! LOL! However, several years later we reconnected and ended up having more in common than we realized. After hanging out for one night we became inseparable after. Our relationship grew and we decided to date. Now here we are, 11 years later with 3 beautiful boys."- Tara
If anyone knows these two, you'll know just how much love they have for one another. You can see it in the way Cameron makes Tara laugh, and the way they love their boys. Tara and Cameron compliment each other so well, and you can tell they truly are meant for one another. Being together for over 10 years really stands the test of time, and now they are starting a new chapter in their lives that will stand even stronger in the future. They are now Mr. and Mrs. Craver plus some ;)!
Tell us about THE dress!
"This was my dream dress! I found it at a local bridal shop but it was out of my budget. I was then searching on stillwhite.com, and found the dress 1/3 of the price, in my size, brand new! It was then shipped to me from Ireland. Rheana at "3 Muses" in Pensacola, did an incredible job in further alterations and it fit me like a glove on our wedding day!"-Tara
Saying Tara looked like GODDESS does not even begin to scratch the surface!! She was glowing from the moment we saw her when we arrived, but when she put on her dress...she TRULY was radiating with so much beauty! You can see that she felt like the QUEEN she is!!
Tell Us About Your First Dance!
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DANCE SONG?: "Still the One" by The Maine
As soon as the Craver's started their first dance, you could see how everyone around began to fade away. It was just Tara and Cameron in that moment, and this song truly tells their love story. You could see just how special this song was to them.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT SONG?:
"Just the first line alone, “Looks like we made it, look how far we’ve come my baby”, really describes everything we have been through over the last 10 years. The good, bad, and ugly, we have definitely come so far."-Tara
This moment shared between Tara and Cameron really showcased just how MUCH they love each other. Through every up and down over the years, it all lead to this moment where they got to have their first dance as newlyweds!
Describe the BRIDE on your wedding day!
"Tara was nervous about the little things, and a bit scatter brained. She reminded me not to forget things many times through the morning, but she forgot one important thing...her wedding dress! Yes...her wedding dress! Luckily we didn’t live far, so my brother (best man) and I drove to get it. Once we were back, she was able to calm down and focus on the wedding ahead. During the ceremony, and reception she was excited, beautiful, and full of joy. Once she let the little things go, like worrying about table numbers, getting the chairs set, etc, she was truly enjoying herself! She was the main attraction. She was the main event. She was perfect!" -Cameron
Cameron hit the nail right on the head with one! Tara was so calm and collected once everything arrived, aka her wedding dress ;)! She was super laid back and really took in each moment of the day embracing every second of it. She truly was the star of the show! ;)
Describe the GROOM on your wedding day!
"Well...he saved the day my getting my wedding dress that I somehow forgot! Haha! He looked so handsome, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He had a smile on his face the entire time and I could tell he was having the time of his life!" -Tara
We have seen some pretty crazyyyy groomsmen, but Cameron might be one of our craziest! He really was living in the best day of his life, and it showed! He had a smile on his face from the moment we arrived, to the moment we left. He knew how to have a good time, and make sure everyone around him was having one too!
What was the most EMOTIONAL part of the day and WHY?
"I would say seeing Tara for the first time. I believe my jaw dropped. I tried to hold it together, and not burst into tears."-Cameron
Cameron did a great job holding in those tears, but we know he was fighting every ounce of those tears from falling! Tara was gorgeous and Cameron couldn't keep his eyes off of her while she walked down the aisle towards him!
What was the most EMOTIONAL part of the day and WHY?
"Definitely hearing our handwritten vows to each other. Also, our son, Braydon, giving a surprise toast. I couldn’t stop crying!"-Tara
We absolutely LOVEEE handwritten vows! They really take proclaiming vows to a whole other level, because it just adds a little bit of the couple's own spice to the day. It makes the wedding day a little bit more personal to the couple.
What is ONE moment of your wedding you will always remember?
"There are so many, but one that stands out is when all of our boys pulled their chairs to the Sweetheart Table. We thought they would want to sit with the other kids, but they just wanted to be with us. After dinner, we all got up and had the first dance of the reception together as a family."-Tara
We are SO glad this moment with their boys impacted Tara and Cameron as much as it did us! We could tell that all of the boys were so close to Tara and Cameron so seeing these small moments happen, it hit us right in our hearts too!
Favorite Part of the Phocus Experience?
"Phocus is a dream team! Where do I even begin?!? From the moment the team arrived, I felt at ease. Tim went above and beyond on making everything perfect for our wedding day! From bustling my dress, to helping with our desert table AND cutting the cake for us! We seriously felt like royalty. Tim made sure we had our food, drinks, and desserts all night. Our guests and bridal party raved about how amazing the Phocus team was!"-Tara
We are absolutely honored to forever be a part of this special day for the Cravers! We always take pride in creating relationships with our couples, and we know that we will forever be a part of the Craver's future!
One Area That We Could Use Some Growth?
"Tim joked about offering wedding coordinator services and I know you would all be amazing in offering that! You guys really are incredible and made the day so perfect!"-Tara
Part of the "Phocus experience" is not just showing up and taking pictures for our couples, but sometimes that may include making sure every hair on you head is where it is supposed to be, making sure that dress is bustled properly, and topping off those drinks all night long! Like we mentioned earlier, it's about creating those relationships, and making sure our couples feel like royalty from dusk to dawn, because ultimately it is THEIR day!! Overall, spending our day with the Cravers has been one of our highlights this year! It was such a great day full of memories, and laughter!
Here are just a few of our favorites of the day!!
Vendors:
Venue: Paradise Beach Homes
Gown: Lark Bridal
DJ: Nicholas Sterns
Cake: Bluejay's Bakery
Caterer:Whistling Pig
Mobile Bar: Tap the Coast
Photography/ Videography/Photobooth: Phocus Photography LLC